Youth

At the same time as cutting €35 million directly from young people in Budget 2014, the government proudly announced €14 million for its Youth Guarantee scheme. The spin suggesting that this would seriously tackle youth unemployment only added insult to the injury of the robbery of young people through the dole cuts and introduction of fees for FAS apprentices.

Monika Janas, interviewed Paul Murphy, Socialist Party MEP for Dublin on the stance he has taken against JobBridge exploitation and youth unemployment.

Michelle Mulherin  TD in her crusade against ‘fornication’ has become the Helen Lovejoy of the Dail with regular “won’t someone please think of the children” remarks. Unfortunately for her, the conservative Ireland of the 1950’s won’t return.

Job prospects for young people are projected to remain bleak for several years. According to the latest United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO) report (Global Trends for Youth) the number of unemployed young people worldwide has risen by four million since 2007.

The German federal government attempted to prevent protests developing there just before the international day of action against “ACTA” on 11 February. They publicly announced that they will not sign the ACTA agreement, but will re-examine it.

The UCC Government and Politics Society have invited British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin to speak at a debate on campus in February. This announcement comes only shortly after Griffin’s invitation to Trinity College was cancelled in the face of opposition mounted by anti-fascist campaigners, including members of Trinity Socialist Society.

Every student who is sick and tired of the grant cuts, can’t afford ever increasing college fees, and is disgusted by the lies and broken promises of the new government should join the national student march on November 16th in Dublin.

Looking for work? Good news- courtesy of the government's 'Jobbridge' scheme, there's all kinds of full-time opportunities on offer. The Corner Bakery in Terenure is looking for a Bakery Assistant. The Landsdowne Hotel in Ballsbridge is looking for waiting staff. Axa Assistance is looking for a call centre worker in Athlone. You'll even get an extra €50 euro a week.

In recent weeks and under much fanfare the government has launched a new scheme to create 5,000 internships by pairing applicants with a large number of participating companies, including KPMG, Tesco, Aer Lingus, Glanbia, Quinn Group Ltd, HP, ESB, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Bord na Móna.

The youth protesters in Spain have inspired many with the stand they have taken against austerity policies and the political establishment. However, they have also faced brutal state repression.